About Us

Welcome to theSpectral Lab

About Us

Located at the University of Victoria in the Geography department, our spectral and remote laboratory facility investigates the interaction of light energy with organic and inorganic material in ocean waters in the field and controlled lab environment. Our lab is equipped with analytical sensors including a high-precision liquid chromatograph that we use to determine concentrations of individual pigments found in water samples and a total organic carbon analyzer to determine the amount of carbon in organic samples. We have a collection of optical sensors including hyperspectral radiometers (2 autonomous, 2 portable) for continuous and above and in-water measurements, fluorescence sensors for chlorophyll and CDOM, absorption, attenuation and backscattering hyperspectral sensors, CTDs, and a darkroom for simulating controlled environmental conditions.

Our group of young researchers has expertise in oceanography, geography, biology, computer science, and environmental science. We are conducting interdisciplinary research with several international collaborators in Brazil (INPE, INPA), Canada (Ocean Networks Canada, MEOPAR, Pacific Salmon Foundation, IOS, UVic, UBC), the United States (UCLA -Santa Barbara), and Japan (JAXA).

Remote sensing technology is advancing at a much faster speed than our knowledge of how to interpret the spectral information it provides. Our goal in our lab is to level off this imbalance by working towards:

01. developing research methods to make more effective use of remotely sensed imagery for understanding and monitoring biogeophysical processes in ocean waters and wetlands

02. researching light attenuation in coastal and riverine waters and possible effects caused by human use of the land and climate change.